Inspired by Kinna Reads' Africa Reading Challenge, I decided to create an offline space to share my newfound appreciation for African literature. If you are interested in reading books from the African diaspora (with emphasis on authors from Africa and the Caribbean), join us! Check us out on Tumblr: http://CHI-ReadingAfrica.tumblr.com & on GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/87568-chicago-reading-africa

This a book club based around the Persephone Books series from the UK (for more info: http://www.persephonebooks.co.uk/). If you're not familiar with Persephone Books, they are fiction and non-fiction books written by forgotten female authors of the twentieth century and they are amazing! If you are into feminism, literature, history and/or anglophilia, you should join us! PLEASE NOTE: Participation in the club will probably require a small investment in purchasing the books each month (they are …

Join us at the Chicago Self-Publishing Meetup Group as we explore the dynamic world of self-publishing and indie publishing. We meet every month and we welcome anyone interested in learning about self-publishing: self-published authors who want to learn more or share their experiences writers looking for information on how to self-publish professionals who are not writers but want to publish material related to their work book designers, graphic designers, and ebook formatters publishing indust …

Love good wine, reading books, & discussing ideas with other friendly people? Then come join us at our monthly discussions while enjoying wine at House Red! The goal is to have fun discussing & sharing our thoughts & ideas on the literature we've read over glasses of wine. The group is new (Spring 2012) & was started with a small group that met at a wine bar. We're growing now & would like to welcome new members. I've noticed many groups are women only; we aren't gender restrictive, but you must …

We all have those books we love and want to share with others. We all have those books we have heard about but just haven't gotten around to reading. Meet other locals to discuss the books and authors related to the Queer Experience. Actually we will read anything that strikes our collective fancy. This meetup is for ANYONE who is interested in learning more about GLBTQ authors and books, and about queer themes in mainstream literature. We will also share tips about where to find/buy queer boo …

ADHD is as prevalent among grown-ups as children - and it's just as essential to manage the condition with a range of behavioral, organizational and other techniques. This is a support group for adults with ADD/ADHD and people who suspect they might have ADHD due to issues with procrastination, organization and time management. We usually meet 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month to discuss challenges and share information and experiences in a supportive environment. …

Taught by Bob and Cheryl Moeller, married for 32 years with 6 kids, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law, and one grandson. www.forkeepsministries.com. A group of Christian Singles together to learn about what the Bible has to say about Christian relationships whether you are single or single again. Singles attend that are unattached or attached (dating, courting, engaged).  Topics may vary but are always from God's Word (The Bible). It usually begins with a dinner at a restaurant where you can g …

This is a group for people who are working on writing a novel, short story, and poem. We'll get together once a week at different locations in Chicago, depending on what's most convenient and give each other constructive criticism and ideas on our literary pieces. Looking forward to meeting all of you!

We meet twice a month to discuss designated during the taping of Insight Radio.  (If you have not listened, here is the last show:  Insight Radio is looking for guests for our next show on current events.  Here are recent shows: Guest: Fran Hawthorne, Author of Ethical Chic: The Inside Story of the Companies We Think We Love. Award-winning journalist Fran Hawthorne has been a writer or editor at Fortune, BusinessWeek, Institutional Investor, Crane's and other publications. She is the author of …

In this group, we discuss where the church is or should be going in the 21st century. We will explore numerous authors, worship expressions, and ideas for the church. We will read and discuss one book per month from authors in the Emergent Church movement. If you are interested in learning and sharing input on what you think the church should be, then come join us! All faith backgrounds are welcome!

You're invited to join like minds in preserving what our founding fathers established in the Constitution. If you're unsettled, uneasy or just disgusted with the direction our country is headed...we're here for you. 9/12 stands for the day after Sept. 11, 2001 when we as a country came together putting aside our political affiliations for the betterment of the United States of America. It also represents the following... THE 9 PRINCIPLES 1. America is good. 2. I believe in God and He is the c …

First and foremost: We are not a critique group. We are not a workshop group. We are a group of writers who get together to...just write. This is a group that meets to WRITE, to socialize, and to offer encouragement and inspiration to others as we practice our craft. We're focused on the process, not the product.  Writing can be a solitary activity...but it doesn't have to be. This is a group where the focus is actually on DOING the work as opposed to critiquing already finished works. I found s …

The Chicago Tao Cultivators seeks to explore the ironic, absurb and penetratingly insightful gentle "way" of wisdom - and hopefully in the process reach the end of logic and enjoy a really good laugh. Taoism can signify an unknowable and emphemeral cosmology - the "Void" - out of which every experience and being is born. But it can also reflect the smaller notion of understanding one's own nature as captured by the concept of "the uncarved block." Seemingly both simple and enigmatic, the writing …

A book club for mystery lovers! We will read new authors as well as the classics. Explore what makes a great mystery. Socialize and have fun.

Join us as we explore the question of the century - "Where Is Your Village?" We'll share how we can surthrive here in The Age of Climate Crisis...live the beautiful life, the conservation lifestyle...give our whole selves to the people and places you love most...and forge a new way forward, past the tipping point of "400 ppm ghg." Don't know what that means? Come discover its critical importance to your life. BIG™ is an award-winning economic development organization based in West Woodlawn …

Mystery, Thriller, Romantic Suspense and Dark Fiction Conference. The Coolest Crime Scene Happens Every February in Chicago - Plead Guilty and Be There. For writers - February in Chicago is the hottest time of the year! Agents, publishers, Master Classes, forensic professionals, weapons experts, essential panels, presentations, and elbows to rub--the perfect antidote for whatever ails writers at every level. Love is Murder--be freezin' for a reason and come ready to advance your career and …

A Meditation Group based on the Kriya Yoga Teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi, and inspired by the core spirituality found at the heart of all faith traditions. Our meditation group is for those seeking... -To learn how to meditate, using ancient, proven techniques -To share spiritual fellowship, friendship and support with others -To have a deeper understanding of the universal science of yoga -Greater energy, health, success and poise in …

Welcome to the Wauconda Area Library! The library serves the communities of Wauconda, Island Lake, and portions of Lakemoor, Volo, Port Barrington, and Lake Barrington. The purpose of the Wauconda Area Library Meetup group is to provide and promote a variety of library resources and services in response to the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs. We offer a variety of programs each season that promote face-to-face community experiences. Wauconda is a growing town with ne …

The Evanston Writers Group is an eclectic mix of writers, ranging from beginners to long time professionals, and reflect all ages, genders and backgrounds. We have members who publish literary fiction, creative non-fiction, children's literature, romance, hard-boiled crime, memoir, travel, poetry, humor and assorted forms of the unclassifiable. Because we are fearless and a little nuts, we open our minds to anyone and any thing. We'll bend and stretch ourselves like soft licorice to dig your s …

¡OJO! Este grupo es para lectores comprometidos, activos, y voraces. El Círculo de Lectores Chicago fue creado para discutir libros contemporáneos populares en español. Eso significa que nos enfocamos en novelas recién publicadas (últimos dos o tres años) en español (nada de traducciones) de toda América Latina y España.  El objetivo es divertirse, leer una variedad de libros populares y utilizar el español. Nos reunimos en restaurantes conectados con el libro escogido (ambiente del libro o na …

Calling all inspired memoir writers who need a community of writers to put their inspiration into action. Procrastination can be our enemy. Often we need deadlines to kick us into gear to put the pen to paper. All levels are welcome from novice memoirists to published authors. The only requirement is to actually turn in work and respectfully comment on each other's manuscripts.

Welcome to A Haven For Angels-- As a Medium and Intuitive I  share  with  you  the many blessings that come from communication with spirit and the angelic realms. We  have  been  given  angels  to  support  us,  to  guard  us in many  ways.  They have  always  been  with  us. The intention of A Haven For Angels is to help you become aware of the many ways angels touch your lives, to open your mind and your heart to angelic inspiration, information, and actions that can bring answers, solutions, …

This club is for anyone (chico or chica!) who loves to dive in and digest the wisdom from authors like Williamson, Chopra, Dyer, and so on. I started this group because the only thing I love more than reading these books is discussing the self-growth and awareness with like-minded folks! We'll start by taking a few weeks to read the same book and then meet discuss our impressions in the Streeterville/Gold Coast area. My hope is that this group opens up hearts and minds, along with formulates n …

Monthly meetup for bookish girls at a Northside bar or pub to discuss short stories of William Trevor, Jhumpa Lahiri, Wells Tower, Junot Diaz, Chekhov, Willa Cather and other favorites. So far we've read stories by Trevor, Haruki Murakami, Alice Munro, Richard Russo, and John Cheever We'll pick a few short stories by an author ahead of time, meet up some place fun after work (So far Ten Cat and the Long Room have been working well for us) and talk about what we loved, what we loathed, and what …

Ultimate LOVE and Passion (ULP for short) is a community of like-minded individuals creating friendships and relationships that stand the test of time. Using principles from top authors, trainers and coaches we can ALL learn to have fun, playful, passionate relationships with the right person. Have you tried all those "other" dating sites? Do your friends try to set you up on blind dates? Have you been in relationships where you just don't have that "spark" everyone talks about? Are you on a jou …

ATTENTION!!!!!! This group is being transfered to a different site. If you want to join Chicago Veg*n Nerds, go here: http://www.meetup.com/vegNerds _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ We get together for various events. They can be for social, ethical, and / or intellectual purposes. We encourage all members to suggest event ideas, on the Message board. Some events we have include: 1. Potlucks 2. Socials at …

We are a Unity Church. We are a spiritual community that is dedicated to teaching universal laws of love, peace, joy, and healing. We are dedicated to creating a peace-filled space where everyone feels welcome. "Spiritual seekers often say that finding Unity is like coming home. Unity is an open-minded, accepting spiritual community that honors all paths to God and helps people discover and live their spiritual potential and purpose."(Unity.org) "The Unity movement was founded by Charles and Myr …

Are you ready to have some fun? This group is for women interested in getting out of the house and getting together to participate in a number of activities including karaoke nights, dance classes, dinners and movies, comedy shows, plays or concerts, shopping trips, fitness classes; you name it!  The opportunities are limitless to the journeys we can unlock and discover as a positive group of freespirited, diverse women. If you are looking for fun and adventure, let the good times roll. Members …